Google Fiber for Evanston Update

[Bobkiewicz, Wally]

We are entering the final stage of our efforts to bring Google fiber to Evanston. We have two organizing meetings left prior to Google Day in Evanston on March 24 and the submittal of our application to Google on March 26.

Work on the application itself is reaching its conclusion. The comments of those of you on this Google Group have been a great help in addition to the discussions we have had at our last two organizing meetings. Now the key component to our efforts is community support for the bid.

At our organizing meeting Tuesday night, 6:00 PM in Room 2404 of the Civic Center we will discuss:

1. Strategies for getting folks to support our bid by going to the Google website to register their support. The City has sent out a summary email to our mailing lists of over 3,000 residents, but we need to get this in the email boxes of more folks.

2. Business Support: Downtown Evanston has been great in coming up with creative ideas for the downtown as has Evanston Online encouraging videos and getting signs in store windows: http://evanstononline.com/group/evanstonisgagaforgoogle <http://evanstononline.com/group/evanstonisgagaforgoogle> Please come to the meeting with additional ideas to get the word out to businesses and have them show their support.

3. Videos: The City along with ECMC are working on two videos, Northwestern is working on a video. Many of you have suggested getting Olympic Speed Skating Champion Shani Davis on a video and the City is working on that. Please come to the meeting with additional video ideas.

4. Banners and Stickers. The City will be putting up 20 banners around Evanston beginning on Wednesday that say "Google Us" and send people to our website to vote. We also have 10,000 stickers coming by Wednesday to hand out all over town.

5. Google Day - Wednesday March 24: We will finalize at our meeting plans for the day including the press conference at 1:30 PM.

6. Schools: We will finalize activities for both public and private schools for Google Day.

Thanks to everyone for all their support on our Google activities. I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting Tuesday night, 6 PM at the Civic Center Room 2404.

Wally

[Joy Schwabach]

Baltimore got written up in TechCrunch, the leading tech blog, just for
naming its fiber committee chairman a "Google Czar."
http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/13/google-czar/

Maybe ours could be the "Google Diva."

[Palmer, Eric]

Wally... You put april 24 instead of march 24 on your blog... I will change when I get in the office this morning

[Stelios Valavanis]

i can't make the meeting tonight. it sounds like we're full steam ahead. if
there's anything that anyone feels my input is needed on then please let me
know.

--
_____________________________________________
stel valavanis http://www.onshore.com/

[Bobkiewicz, Wally]

We are a week away from the deadline and only six days from “Google Day in Evanston.”  Everything is starting to come together.  Here is an update on where we are at:

 

1. We have banners up at all City facilities and are putting additional signs at businesses at key locations.

 

2. We have received 10,000 2 inch stickers that say “Google Us” which we are starting to distribute.  More on these further down.  If anyone would like some to distribute between now and Wednesday contact me directly by email.  You can pick them up Friday or Saturday from me at the Civic Center.

 

3. Work continues on the City’s two videos.  NU is completing a video as is Evanston Hospital and ETHS.  These will be posted on the web and shown at our Google Day press conference Wednesday.

 

4. We are going to focus efforts over the next few days to recruit folks to nominate us on-line at Evanston’s locally owned coffee houses.  If anyone has specific connections with owners let me know directly by email.  We are also focusing on the Century Theater (thanks David Miller).

 

5. Channel 16 is running Google info and will only run Google info for a week beginning tomorrow.

 

6. We are forwarding the info email on this to everyone we know.  I encourage you to do the same.  We will come up with another shorter email for distribution next Tuesday ahead of Google Day.  Information is also on our website:  http://www.cityofevanston.org/google

 

7. The Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Evanston and Inventure Evanston are working with Evanston businesses to get Google Day specials, special Google drinks and desserts.

 

So what can you do to help in the last week:

 

1.                   Forward email we sent last week to everyone you know encouraging them to go to Google website and support the Evanston nomination.

 

2.                   Volunteer on morning of Google Day Wednesday March 24 to work train and El stations with Google stickers.  We have ordered one of a kind Google Evanston baseball caps for all volunteers.  Volunteers should meet at the Civic Center at 6:30 AM to get assignments, stickers and ball caps.

 

3.                   Attend and bring a friend to the Google Day press conference at the Civic Center at 1:30 PM.  Mayor Tisdahl, NU Provost Dan Linzer, Evanston Hospital President J.P. Gallagher, Evanston Chamber Executive Director Jonathan Perman and others will speak on behalf of our application.

 

Thanks again for all your help.  The group will have a final meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 PM to get ready for Google Day.

 

Wally

[Stelios Valavanis]

i still have not seen an email coming from the schools my kids are in. it
would be huge to get the schools (public and private) to send out an email
with the link to "vote" for evanston. mayor tisdahl said that nwu students
were going to be contacted too.

On Thursday 18 March 2010 08:53:29 pm Bobkiewicz, Wally wrote:
> We are a week away from the deadline and only six days from "Google Day
> in Evanston." Everything is starting to come together. Here is an
> update on where we are at:
>
>
>

> 1. We have banners up at all City facilities and are putting

> additional signs at businesses at key locations.
>
>
>

> 2. We have received 10,000 2 inch stickers that say "Google Us"

> which we are starting to distribute. More on these further down. If
> anyone would like some to distribute between now and Wednesday contact
> me directly by email. You can pick them up Friday or Saturday from me
> at the Civic Center.
>
>
>

> 3. Work continues on the City's two videos. NU is completing a

> video as is Evanston Hospital and ETHS. These will be posted on the web
> and shown at our Google Day press conference Wednesday.
>
>
>

> 4. We are going to focus efforts over the next few days to recruit

> folks to nominate us on-line at Evanston's locally owned coffee houses.
> If anyone has specific connections with owners let me know directly by
> email. We are also focusing on the Century Theater (thanks David
> Miller).
>
>
>

> 5. Channel 16 is running Google info and will only run Google info

> for a week beginning tomorrow.
>
>
>

> 6. We are forwarding the info email on this to everyone we know. I

> encourage you to do the same. We will come up with another shorter
> email for distribution next Tuesday ahead of Google Day. Information is
> also on our website: http://www.cityofevanston.org/google
>
>
>

> 7. The Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Evanston and Inventure

> Evanston are working with Evanston businesses to get Google Day
> specials, special Google drinks and desserts.
>
>
>
> So what can you do to help in the last week:
>
>
>
> 1. Forward email we sent last week to everyone you
> know encouraging them to go to Google website and support the Evanston
> nomination.
>
>
>
> 2. Volunteer on morning of Google Day Wednesday March
> 24 to work train and El stations with Google stickers. We have ordered
> one of a kind Google Evanston baseball caps for all volunteers.
> Volunteers should meet at the Civic Center at 6:30 AM to get
> assignments, stickers and ball caps.
>
>
>
> 3. Attend and bring a friend to the Google Day press
> conference at the Civic Center at 1:30 PM. Mayor Tisdahl, NU Provost
> Dan Linzer, Evanston Hospital President J.P. Gallagher, Evanston Chamber
> Executive Director Jonathan Perman and others will speak on behalf of
> our application.
>
>
>
> Thanks again for all your help. The group will have a final meeting
> Tuesday night at 6:00 PM to get ready for Google Day.
>
>
>
> Wally
>

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> googlefiberforevanston+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email
> with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.

[Mary Alice Ball]

Good point, Stelios. I spent this afternoon dropping off flyers (about 15-20 per site) and my step-by-step instructions (1 copy per site) at: Mather, Presbyterian Home, Three Crowns, Northshore Retirement Hotel, Levy Ctr., Family Focus, and Fleetwood-Jourdain. I was surprised that the last three locations had not received any flyers. It made me think that private residents may really need to step it up and take the initiative on some of these ideas.

I've been thinking about the homework idea and worry that it might be a problem for those kids who don't have a computer or Internet access at home. A humiliating problem that we might want to avoid. However, I do think that if individuals could step up on this listserv and claim schools that they would then take flyers to and distribute to teachers it might help a lot.

Mary Alice

[Mindy Wallis]

I was going to distribute to schools. First, you need to get the
district to approve it; then you need to get it to school offices by
end of school Weds. In most cases. I just couldn't do it in time.

You could try going to individual schools and asking but they usually
send stuff home on Fridays.

I did ask Pat Markham in D65 to put in her e-newsletter but I haven't
seen it yet. I will try again. Stelios what school do your kids go to?

I tried contacting the technology coordinator @ D65 - no response.
Tech teacher said they were too busy with report cards.

I will bring some flyers to ETHS on Monday.

Has the City contacted the school districts?

- Mindy
Sent from my mobile device

[Stelios Valavanis]

On Friday 19 March 2010 06:11:06 pm Mindy Wallis wrote:
> I was going to distribute to schools. First, you need to get the
> district to approve it; then you need to get it to school offices by
> end of school Weds. In most cases. I just couldn't do it in time.
>
> You could try going to individual schools and asking but they usually
> send stuff home on Fridays.
>
> I did ask Pat Markham in D65 to put in her e-newsletter but I haven't
> seen it yet. I will try again. Stelios what school do your kids go to?

my kids go to kingsley and haven. i sent links to the haven pta. there aren't
that many schools. contacting their pta communications person needs no
authorization. sorry i did not offer to do this myself but i thought coming
from the city it would be better and i thought others were more connected than
i am anyway.

> I tried contacting the technology coordinator @ D65 - no response.
> Tech teacher said they were too busy with report cards.
>
> I will bring some flyers to ETHS on Monday.
>
> Has the City contacted the school districts?

like i said skip the school officials and ask for pta contacts at each school.
far more contact at haven and kingsley come from the pta than the school.

[Mindy Wallis]

Stelios,

I sent the original email to all the PTA presidents in D65 and D202 via the PTA Council listserve. I also sent it to the listserves of Chute, Dawes, Oakton, Washington, Dewey and King Lab.

The D65 rules say that flyers from outside the district can only go out to students if they are approved by D65 first. THe Wednesday 4 pm deadline is what I was given by the PTA reps at several schools. It isn't the PTAs that get the flyers to the classrooms, it is the school office staff.

The reason this isn't getting out to the schools isn't for want of trying. It is because the PTAs and the school staff just don't understand what this is or why it is important. In my experience, the PTAs only pass on information that directly relates to their schools. I had trouble getting them to publicize the PTA Council meeting that was for parents to have a conversation with D65.

If anyone has any more ideas about engaging the parents on this topic, I'm happy to listen.

- Mindy

P.S. Who are the PTA communications people for Kingsley and Haven? I tried getting this information for all the schools earlier in the week but neither Haven nor Kingsley responded.

[Mary Alice Ball]

Yes, Mindy, the city has been in touch with both D65 and D202. I know that ETHS has a committee working on their part of the proposal. I don't if that entails marketing it to students and their families. I sure hope so. I just checked with my freshman daughter who has not received anything yet and said that no announcements have been made about it. Aargh!

Mary Alice

[Mindy Wallis]

There were no flyers in ETHS this afternoon which is why I will bring some there on Monday.

Have we distributed flyers to businesses in town? How about everybody take a neighborhood and go to all the businesses and put up flyers? I'm happy to do downtown between the el and Chicago Avenue and from Northwestern to Dempster.

Also, is the flyer available on the website so that people can download and print it themselves? 

- Mindy

[Kathy Tisdahl]

I will distribute to the YMCA tomorrow and I can do Central Street businesses but not til Monday - out of town this weekend.  Could chamber or business community send out email with attachment of flyer and they could print them themselves and put them in their windows, bulletin boards... 

Sent from my iPhone

[cdel...@downtownevanston.org]

Fliers and emails have been distributed throughout downtown evanston today.
Carolyn

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

---

From: Kathy Tisdahl <patri...@aol.com>

Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:40:46 -0500

To: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com<googlefiber...@googlegroups.com>; <Ebti...@aol.com>

Cc: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com<googlefiber...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Google Fiber for Evanston Update

[Kathy Tisdahl]

Also maybe everyone could post something on their facebook pages if they haven't already.  An easy way to make news travel fast.

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 19, 2010, at 7:12 PM, Mindy Wallis <mindy...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Mary Alice Ball]

Andrea posted the flyer last week, I think. I'm attaching it again here. 

Mary Alice

[Mindy Wallis]

I don't mean post it here, I mean make it available for the public to print and post. Something like "Help us spread the word - post this in your neighborhood."

- Mindy

Sent from my mobile device

<googleflyer.doc>

[Stelios Valavanis]

wow thanks for that great effort. i don't understand why they haven't
announced. maybe they don't get it. maybe the don't care. in most other towns,
the schools have been the central focus.

here are the kingsley and haven contacts.

kingsley
candance chow <cpark...@yahoo.com>

haven
Kristen Dobbs <haven...@gmail.com>

[Kathy Tisdahl]

I'll email orrington I have most of the names

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 19, 2010, at 11:17 PM, Stelios Valavanis <st...@onshore.com>

[John Zbesko]

I noticed the flyer in Starbuck's on Sherman, but not in Kaffein's on
Chicago Ave. The waiter I spoke to said they would be happy to display
the materials.

On Sat, 2010-03-20 at 00:50 +0000, cdel...@downtownevanston.org wrote:
> Fliers and emails have been distributed throughout downtown evanston
> today.
> Carolyn
>
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
>

> ______________________________________________________________________

[Mindy Wallis]

I went around Dempster/Chicago in the snow yesterday and did what I
could. I also put them in the lobby of the Main library. However, my
experience showed me that NO ONE in town has heard about this or
understands what it means. (Even in the computer repair shop they were
clueless.)

I fear words like "fiber" and "broadband network" do not make most
people as excited as they may do for us.

If we want to get people excited on Google Day we're going to need a
30 second spiel to explain what it's about.

- Mindy

Sent from my mobile device

On Mar 21, 2010, at 9:40 AM, John Zbesko <johnz...@alum.mit.edu>
wrote:

[Ann Rainey]

I had a similar experience at the Levy center Children's Theater production of  Looking Glass on Friday night. I was handing out the stick on lables that I got from Kathy and was mortified. People just did not know - not so much about the technology but about the event and the opportunity. Some of course did but I was very surprised at the general lack of awareness.

 

The concept that most embraced was 100,000 times faster than what we have.

Ann Rainey
847 475 2949

Evanston's Great 8TH Ward Message Boards 
Evanston Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests
Welcome to the City of Evanston, Illinois

[Mary Alice Ball]

Here's my take on key points that could be distilled into a 30 second spiel:

1) Broadband is to the 21st century what electricity was to the 20th -- it will revolutionize everything: industry, education, healthcare, libraries, information and entertainment.

2) Depending upon who is doing the projecting broadband speeds are either 33 or 100 times faster than what we have today (your current connection is either roughly 3 Mbps or 1 Mbps). (Sorry, Ann, but 100,000 times isn't happening anytime soon. ;-))

3) The federal government is most concerned about connectivity for rural areas and is putting large amounts of money there.

4) The federal government is also concerned about innovation since this will improve our global competitiveness.

5) Google is concerned about maintaining its competitiveness, which is based on increasing the number of people who use Google applications (so Google's advertising revenue will grow) and on improving innovation so that it can keep its competitors at bay.

6) As a suburb that has multiple alternatives for Internet connectivity (Comcast, AT&T U-verse, Earthlink, Clear, etc.) Evanston's strongest selling point is our link to innovation, research & development -- Northwestern and our technology companies are central.

7) Evanston's best bet for acquiring ultra high speed Internet connections is Google Fiber. This will leapfrog us ahead of other areas of the country and make us more attractive to business investors. It will create local jobs.

8) In my own opinion, our proposal MUST include broadband connectivity for everyone in Evanston, especially the west side! We have to stand together and make sure we act as a community and not favor privileged areas on the north side or along the lakefront.

Mary Alice

[AnnRa...@aol.com]

100 it is - I knew that but hit send as I saw what I typed. I was hoping the next respondent would point out the error.

 

What is this about?

8) In my own opinion, our proposal MUST include broadband connectivity for everyone in Evanston, especially the west side! We have to stand together and make sure we act as a community and not favor privileged areas on the north side or along the lakefront.

 

Also - interested in your comment about the west side. Do we have evidence that the west side is undeserved?  You point out that location - do you know of others?

[Jordan S. Zoot, CPA.CITP.CISM.CGEIT]

Its amazing how what might be wanted or even needed can become
disconnected from that which is being offered. The Google RFI has
indicated from the start that their goal was to offer the service AT A
COMPETITIVE PRICE. There is NOTHING in the document to suggest that
Google is seeking to subsidize anything or provide anything without
being compensated. It would certainly be reasonable to expect that the
proposed service be provisioned over the entire City and even that
there would be a requirement that the service would be available to
every dwelling location within the city limits.

However, there is a catch the service would be AVAILABLE to EVERYONE
that was willing to PAY for iT. If that is the expectation which is
being made it makes sense. Any precondition of subsidy or service
where the price that EVERYONE would be expected to pay isn't equal
isn't part of what was put on the table.

Further, given that the City has had the regulatory authority over
both the Comcast Franchise and the VRAD deployment, if an elected
representative of City government is asking whether there is evidence
of under service that harkens back to a point I raised quite a long
time ago. If an alderman doesn't have that information or can't
request it who is supposed to have it?

On Mar 21, 8:16 pm, AnnRain...@aol.com wrote:
> 100 it is - I knew that but hit send as I saw what I typed. I was hoping  
> the next respondent would point out the error.
>
> What is this about?
>
> 8) In my own opinion, our proposal MUST include broadband  connectivity for
> everyone in Evanston, especially the west side! We have to  stand together
> and make sure we act as a community and not favor privileged  areas on the
> north side or along the lakefront.
>
> Also - interested in your comment about the west side. Do we have evidence  
> that the west side is undeserved?  You point out that location - do you  
> know of others?
>
> Ann  Rainey
> 847 475 2949
>

> _Evanston's Great 8TH Ward Message  Boards_
> (http://www.quicktopic.com/share?s=5K4z)  
> _Evanston  Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests_
> (http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/police/reports/daily/)  
> _Welcome to the City of Evanston,  Illinois_
> (http://www.cityofevanston.org/)

>
> In a message dated 3/21/2010 2:58:29 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
>

> On Sun, Mar 21, 2010 at 12:23 PM, Ann Rainey <_annrain...@aol.com_

>
> (mailto:annrain...@aol.com) > wrote:
>
> I had a similar experience at the Levy center Children's Theater  
> production of  Looking Glass on Friday night. I was handing out the  stick on lables
> that I got from Kathy and was mortified. People just did not  know - not so
> much about the technology but about the event and the  opportunity. Some of
> course did but I was very surprised at the general lack  of awareness.
>
> The concept that most embraced was 100,000 times faster than what we  have.
>
> Ann Rainey
> 847 475 2949
>

> _Evanston's Great  8TH Ward Message Boards_
> (http://www.quicktopic.com/share?s=5K4z)  
> _Evanston Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests_
> (http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/police/reports/daily/)  
> _Welcome to the City of  Evanston, Illinois_
> (http://www.cityofevanston.org/)-----Original Message-----
> From: Mindy Wallis <_mindywal...@gmail.com_ (mailto:mindywal...@gmail.com) >
> To: _googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
>
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com)  <_googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com) >

>
> Sent: Sun, Mar 21, 2010 11:46 am
> Subject: Re: Google Fiber  for Evanston Update
>
> I  went around Dempster/Chicago in the snow yesterday and did what I could.
> I  also put them in the lobby of the Main library. However, my experience  
> showed me that NO ONE in town has heard about this or understands what it  
> means. (Even in the computer repair shop they were  clueless.)
>
> I fear words like "fiber" and "broadband  network" do not make most people
> as excited as they may do for  us.
>
> If we want to get people excited on Google Day we're  going to need a 30
> second spiel to explain what it's  about.
>
> - Mindy
>
> Sent from my mobile  device
>

> On Mar 21, 2010, at 9:40 AM, John Zbesko <_johnzbe...@alum.mit.edu_

> (mailto:johnzbe...@alum.mit.edu) > wrote:
>
> >  I noticed the flyer in Starbuck's on Sherman, but not in Kaffein's  on
> > Chicago Ave. The waiter I spoke to said they would be happy  to display
> > the materials.
>

> > On Sat,  2010-03-20 at 00:50 +0000, _cdellu...@downtownevanston.org_
> (mailto:cdellu...@downtownevanston.org)  >  wrote:

> >> Fliers and emails have been distributed throughout  downtown evanston
> >> today.

> >>     Carolyn&

>
> >> Sent via BlackBerry by  AT&T
>
> >>  ______________________________________________________________________
>

> >>  From: Kathy Tisdahl <_patrika...@aol.com_ (mailto:patrika...@aol.com) >
> >> Date: Fri, 19 Mar  2010 19:40:46 -0500
> >> To:

> >> _googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com) <_googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com) >> >;  <_Ebtisd...@aol.com_ (mailto
> :Ebtisd...@aol.com) >
> >>  Cc:
> >> _googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com) <_googlefibe...@googlegroups.com_
> (mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com) >>  >

> >> Subject: Re: Google Fiber for Evanston  Update
>
> >> I will  distribute to the YMCA tomorrow and I can do Central  Street
> >> businesses but not til Monday - out of town this  weekend. Could
> >> chamber or business community send out  email with attachment of flyer
> >> and they could print them  themselves and put them in their windows,
> >> bulletin  boards...
>
> >> Sent from my  iPhone
>

> >> On Mar 19, 2010, at 7:12 PM,  Mindy Wallis <_mindywal...@gmail.com_
> (mailto:mindywal...@gmail.com) >

> >>  wrote:
>
> >>>  There were no flyers in ETHS this afternoon which is why I  will
> >>> bring some there on  Monday.
>
> >>>  Have we distributed flyers to businesses in town? How  about
> >>> everybody take a neighborhood and go to all the  businesses and put
> >>> up flyers? I'm happy to do downtown  between the el and Chicago
> >>> Avenue and from  Northwestern to  Dempster.
>
> >>>  Also, is the flyer available on the website so that people  can
> >>> download and print it  themselves?
>
> >>>  - Mindy
>
> >>> On Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at  7:00 PM, Mary Alice Ball
> >>> <_maber...@gmail.com_ (mailto:maber...@gmail.com) > wrote:
> >>> Yes,  Mindy, the city has been in touch with both D65 and
> >>>  D202. I know that ETHS has a committee working on their  part
> >>> of the proposal. I don't if that entails  marketing it to
> >>> students and their families. I sure  hope so. I just checked
> >>> with my freshman daughter who  has not received anything yet
> >>> and said that no  announcements have been made about it.
> >>>  Aargh!
>
> >>>  Mary  Alice
>
> >>>  On Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 6:11 PM, Mindy Wallis

> >>> <_wallist...@gmail.com_ (mailto:wallist...@gmail.com) > wrote:
> >>> I  was going to distribute to schools. First, you
> >>> need to  get the
> >>> district to approve it; then you need to get  it to
> >>> school offices by
> >>> end of  school Weds. In most cases. I just couldn't
> >>> do it in  time.
>
> >>> You could try going to  individual schools and asking
> >>> but they  usually
> >>> send stuff home on  Fridays.
>
> >>> I did ask Pat Markham  in D65 to put in her
> >>> e-newsletter but I  haven't
> >>> seen it yet. I will try again. Stelios what  school
> >>> do your kids go  to?
>
> >>> I tried contacting the  technology coordinator @ D65
> >>> - no  response.
> >>> Tech teacher said they were too busy with  report
> >>>  cards.
>
> >>> I will bring some flyers  to ETHS on Monday.
>
> >>> Has the City  contacted the school districts?
>
> >>>  - Mindy
> >>> Sent from my mobile  device
>
> >>> On  Mar 19, 2010, at 5:33 PM, Mary Alice Ball

> >>> <_maber...@gmail.com_ (mailto:maber...@gmail.com) >  wrote:

> >>> <_s...@onshore.com_ (mailto:s...@onshore.com) >  wrote:

> >>> _http://www.cityofevanston.org/google_
> (http://www.cityofevanston.org/google)  

> >>> +_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  

> or reply to this  email
> >>>> with the words "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >>>  --
> >>>  _____________________________________________

> >>> stel  valavanis _http://www.onshore.com/_(http://www.onshore.com/)  

>
> >>>  To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> >>>  googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_
> (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  

> >>> or reply  to this
> >>> email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >>>  To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> >>>  googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_
> (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  

> >>> or reply  to this
> >>> email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >>> To unsubscribe from  this group, send email to

> >>> googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_
> (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  

> >>> or reply  to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as
> >>> the  subject.
>
> >>>  To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> >>>  googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_
> (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or reply

> >>>  to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >>>  To unsubscribe from this group, send email to  googlefiberforevanston

> >>> +_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  

> or reply to this email with  the words
> >>> "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >> To  unsubscribe from this group, send email to  googlefiberforevanston

> >> +_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or

> reply to this email with  the words
> >> "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> >> To  unsubscribe from this group, send email to  googlefiberforevanston

> >> +_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or

> reply to this email with  the words
> >> "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> > To unsubscribe from this  group, send email to googlefiberforevanston>

> +_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or reply

> to this email with  the words > "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
>
> To unsubscribe  from this group, send email to

> googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or reply to

> this email with  the words "REMOVE ME" as the  subject.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to  

> googlefiberforevanston+_unsubscribegooglegroups.com_ (http://unsubscribegooglegroups.com/)  or reply to

[Mary Alice Ball]

We don't have evidence. That is why I have proposed creating a broadband map so we can get an accurate picture of who has what levels of Internet access. I also assume that patches on the south side of town are underserved but without any evidence that can only be an assumption.

I have revised a survey that Philadelphia based on one San Francisco used to create a broadband map. I think that if we put it online, have paper copies distributed around town, and then have the summer jobs kids following up door to door we can do it fairly quickly. The researcher in Philly who did theirs said it wasn't strictly scientific but it gave them a clear enough picture that they could credibly use it to support their BTOP application.

Mary Alice

[Mary Alice Ball]

I point to my earlier posting summarizing Google's filing with the FCC to support including digital divide issues in our proposal. The problem with getting accurate information on who is connected from telcos is one everyone in the country is frustrated  with. Telcos shared that information with ConnectedNation but only after it signed a non-disclosure agreement. Telcos consider this information highly proprietary and are going to great lengths not to release it. The federal government does not consider the data the telcos do release reliable because they have aggegrated it so much. For example, if one household in a zip code has broadband the entire zip code is portrayed as served.

Mary Alice

[annra...@aol.com]

I am not saying that I don't know, I was just wondering what info you had to make the statement.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

---

From: Mary Alice Ball <mabe...@gmail.com>

Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:50:45 -0500

To: <googlefiber...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Google Fiber for Evanston Update

[Bill Smith]

A person could go to Comcast's website and type in a street address to
see whether Comcast claims to offer high speed internet service to
that address:
https://www.comcast.com/localization/Localize.cspx?Referer=/shop/buyflow2/products.cspx?Reset=1

Bill Smith

[Laura Folkl]

We at Downtown Evanston (formerly Evmark) have gone door to door to
businesses on W. Davis St., Maple Ave., a good portion of Sherman Ave., and
will hit E. Davis and Chicago Ave. today.

The feedback we are getting from a good many business owners is that they
haven't heard about the Google effort; although some mentioned that they had
received our email newsletter on the subject but hadn't gotten a chance to
think about a Google special and get back to us.

If any of you have time to assist in our effort of going store to store in
the downtown, we'd love the help! We have fliers at our offices at 820
Davis Suite 151, in the Technology Innovation Center.

Thanks!

Laura Folkl

Downtown Evanston
847.866.6319

-----Original Message-----
From: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:googlefiber...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Kathy Tisdahl
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 7:27 AM
To: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com
Cc: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Google Fiber for Evanston Update

Sent from my iPhone

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2763 - Release Date: 03/22/10
07:33:00

[Sherry Kelly]

In the downtown district, Friday afternoon I distributed the flyer to 20 businesses, spoke to the owner or manager if they were available, encouraged nominations, and explained the general Google concept and Google Day. I visited spots on Sherman, Davis, Clark and Orrington. I posted the flyer at Starbucks, Enigma Café, Panera Bread, and Unicorn Café. Some people had a heard that something regarding Google was happening, but weren’t clear on the details.

 

We need help covering downtown Evanston – please let us know if you are available to visit more of our downtown businesses.

 

Thanks,

Sherry

 

 

 

Sherry Kelly

Downtown Evanston

820 Davis St. Suite 151

Evanston, IL 60201

847-570-4732

 

Have you signed up to get the latest news, deals, and happenings in Downtown Evanston? Go to www.downtownevanston.org and sign up to receive email alerts!

 

---

[Stelios Valavanis]

i recommend talking to the metropolitan planning council. they had done
research on this though it may be out of date.

that said i don't think it's an issue. evanston probably is fully served by
comcast and mostly by att. we can't tout the low level of access that rural
areas have. but we do have low income citizens who will greatly benefit from
cheaper and faster service. this matters partly because these people need help
but also because by helping them, we solve the bigger problem with bandwidth
access, that of ubiquity. having internet everywhere, in every home, is the
bigger game changer than just speed. many things change then just like when
the tipping point occurred for telephone where you can begin to expect that
everyone is accessible by telephone.

--

[Stelios Valavanis]

it's time to create an email list for downtown evanston business, eh? could be
one for downtownevanston members and another for businesses that aren't (but
still need to be reached).

> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to googlefiberforevanston
> > +unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words
> > "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> googlefiberforevanston+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email
> with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2763 - Release Date: 03/22/10
> 07:33:00
>

[Mary Alice Ball]

I was reading (more accurately, slogging) through the National Broadband Plan chapter on availability last night. I agree with Stelios that in spite of being fully served Evanston has many advantages to other places. One is the relative low cost of connecting a household because we already have so much infrastructure in place. The NBP cites a figure of $56,000 to connect the highest cost household in a remote rural area. Yes, that was fifty-six thousand dollars for a single house. Aargh! We have a good cross-section economically, racially, and ethnically that should also add to our case. If Google is looking for a test bed location that will allow them to get a good return on investment, Evanston has many advantages.

Mary Alice

[Carolyn Dellutri]

Thanks for suggesting but we already have this set up for businesses as well
as a consumer blast email. The unfortunate side is that they don't read
them so we have to go door to door to reinforce the emails.

After speaking with the business owners they say Oh yes I saw that in the
email and when we walk in the door to talk that's a second reminder.
Hopefully they then go on and vote.

Anyone who can help with walking around should give us a call to schedule a
time.

Carolyn Dellutri, Executive Director, CTP, CMSM
Downtown Evanston
820 Davis Street, Suite 151
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847-570-4724
Fax: 847-570-4738
www.evanstondowntown.com

[Ann Rainey]

and you can do the same with at&t . In fact for u-verse service I have been in communication on a regular basis with Marc Blakeman because so many parts of town cannot receive their service. Interestingly, if people on my street call or type in address we are told we cannot yet access service. HOWEVER, in many cases the response is a "false red" and people need to call and insist that it be checked further, frequently the wiring is present but not activated.  In other cases the delay in the vrad box intallations has been the reason for no u-verse service.

Ann Rainey
847 475 2949

Evanston's Great 8TH Ward Message Boards 

Evanston Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests

Welcome to the City of Evanston, Illinois

[Stelios Valavanis]

note that uverse is not the only att high speed internet product. they sell
non-uverse DSL service too (for years now) that doesn't need a VRAD. it still
may not be available in some areas because of distance but not too much
probably.

On Monday 22 March 2010 01:34:58 pm Ann Rainey wrote:
> and you can do the same with at&t . In fact for u-verse service I have been
> in communication on a regular basis with Marc Blakeman because so many
> parts of town cannot receive their service. Interestingly, if people on my
> street call or type in address we are told we cannot yet access service.
> HOWEVER, in many cases the response is a "false red" and people need to
> call and insist that it be checked further, frequently the wiring is
> present but not activated. In other cases the delay in the vrad box
> intallations has been the reason for no u-verse service.
>
>
> Ann Rainey
> 847 475 2949
>
> Evanston's Great 8TH Ward Message Boards
> Evanston Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests
> Welcome to the City of Evanston, Illinois
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Smith <bi...@evanstonnow.com>
> To: googlefiber...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 9:41 am
> Subject: Re: Google Fiber for Evanston Update
>
>
> A person could go to Comcast's website and type in a street address to

> ee whether Comcast claims to offer high speed internet service to

> hat address:
> ttps://www.comcast.com/localization/Localize.cspx?Referer=/shop/buyflow2/pr
> oducts.cspx?Reset=1 Bill Smith

> googlefiberforevanston+unsubscribegooglegroups.com r reply to this email

> with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> googlefiberforevanston+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email
> with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
>

--

[Ann Rainey]

yes, couldn't agree more. The opportunity is there.

 

 

Ann Rainey
847 475 2949

Evanston's Great 8TH Ward Message Boards 
Evanston Police Daily Bulletin - Incidents and Arrests
Welcome to the City of Evanston, Illinois

[Joy Schwabach]

Describe the Community Organization You Represent:

The Woman's Club of Evanston is a non-profit organization dedicated to
community service, philanthropic work and friendship. Last year, the Club
contributed over $120,000 and more than five thousand volunteer hours to
social service agencies, many of which are devoted to women and children.

Describe the Community:
This is the most community-oriented city in the world. Everything is
accessible -governments, nonprofits, theater. Anyone can get involved in
anything, and everyone does! I started doing the Woman's Club of Evanston's
website while I still lived in California in 1999 and have been involved
ever since. Their history goes back to the days when Jane Addams, the social
reformer, spoke there. The Evanston Woman's Club built the first hospital,
so that residents wouldn't have to go by wagon all the way to Chicago. They
were active in supporting the troops in WWII. And they still help
Chicagoland, especially women and children. You can see the second half of
the YouTube video submitted below at :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_NTss3wzhU

Web link to supporting material: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qullPitHUjE

Describe the quality of your home Internet service customer support:
When we've run speed tests online, the little bar showing our speed is about
ten percent as high as the other bars. We tried twice to switch to AT&T but
they couldn't connect us at all, though they charged us for several months.